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News

Title	Date
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES CELEBRATE PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH STATE IN LANDMARK LAWSUIT Proposed Agreement brings residents one step closer to expanded opportunities for community living and meaningful individual choice	August 30, 2011
Access Living’s response to news of institution closures in Illinois Revenue must be set aside for community infrastructure Governor Quinn’s September 8th announcement to close large institutions for people with disabilities indicates an opportunity to rebalance Illinois’ system of long-term care. But closing institutions can not be done strictly as a budget cutting move. More than anyone else, the decision to close institutions impacts people with disabilities.	September 9, 2011
Colbert v. Quinn, Notice of Fairness Hearing Colbert v. Quinn is a class action case filed on behalf of people with disabilities who receive Medicaid and live in nursing homes in Cook County, Illinois. The case was originally filed in August of 2007. A settlement agreement was announced on August 30, 2011. If approved by the court, the settlement will offer people with disabilities in Cook County nursing homes the choice to transition from the nursing home, and live in apartments or homes of their choice in the community. A Fairness Hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2011.	December 20, 2011
Access Living White Paper urges Illinois to modify Performance Evaluation Reform Act On October 19, Access Living released an education White Paper that projects the impact that The Performance Evaluation Reform Act of 2010 (PERA) may have on Special Education students in public schools throughout Illinois. The paper, “Holding Educators Accountable For the Academic Growth of Students with Disabilities” examines the relationship within PERA between the achievement of students with disabilities and the performance of teachers.	October 19, 2011
Disability Advocates host “Institution Free Illinois Rally” at Springfield State Capitol	October 24, 2011

Lead On: The Access Living Blog

Disability Rights & Empowerment

Access Living is committed to the advancement and empowerment of people with disabilities in Chicago and nationwide. Our programs and services represent a multifaceted approach in attaining this goal.

Title	Date
Employment First bill passes out of committee in Illinois On March 20, HB Bill 2591, Employment First for Persons with Disabilities, passed out of the Illinois House Human Services Committee. The bill, sponsored by Representative Golar, declares Illinois an Employment First State and establishes competitive employment in integrated settings as the first option for persons with disabilities in Illinois of working age	March 20, 2013
Take Action for Wheelchair Repairs and Equipment in Illinois Action alert around Illinois Legislation to protect people with disabilities who receive Medicaid and who use wheelchairs	March 15, 2013
New HUD Housing App a resourse for renters, homeowners, and housing providers Late last month, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the release of a housing app for mobile devices. The new is designed to make information about fair housing more accessible to all users.	March 12, 2013
The Chicago Community Trust partnership fuels disability advocacy Access Living equipped to increase housing, community optionsAccess Living is proud to announce an award from the Chicago Community Trust. As Illinois navigates another year of fiscal crisis, the award will fuel advocacy efforts that support the independence of people with disabilities.	March 6, 2013
Sequestration looming over the United StatesWhat does sequestration mean for people with disabilitiesOver the past few weeks, news casts, social media, formal, and informal conversations have been heavy with talk about the sequestration, automatic spending cuts that will go into affect on March 1. Unless the Federal Government brokers a budget deal within the next 24 hours, the cuts will become a reality.	February 28, 2013

Events Calendar

Title	Date
Advocacy Appreciation Day -- Power to the PeoplePower to the People Presents an Advocacy Appreciation Day	June 19, 2013
Abilities Expo Chicago Abilities Expo Chicago is new, it’s exciting, it’s fun and it’s back on June 28-30, 2013 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center!	June 28-30, 2013
Are You Prepared? Town Hall Meeting on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities Town Hall Meeting on Emergency Preparedness for people with disabilities	June 26, 2013
People with Disabilities Speak Out on Health Care DisparitiesAccess Living’s Health Policy Team and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Department of Occupational Therapy invite you to a Town Hall meeting to discuss the state of health care for Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities	June 27, 2013
Access Living Open House Access Living invites you to the organization’s annual Open House. Thursday, June 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.	June 27, 2013

Press Releases

Title	Date
Disability and senior advocates rally to preserve independent living servicesDisability and senior advocates rallied in downtown Chicago on March 28 to protest against inequities in the state budget.	March 28, 2012
Access Living applauds institution closure, commitment to community Urges support for services that promote independence for people with disabilitiesAccess Living responds to Illinois Governor Quinn’s February 22 Budget Address.	February 23, 2012
Advocates with disabilities travel to Springfield for budget addressUrge the protection of home and community services	February 22, 2012
Disability advocates deliver Valentines to Governor Quinn Disability advocates deliver Valentine to Governor Quinn	February 14, 2012
Access Living applauds Governor Quinn’s closure announcement Urges shift from institutional to community support for people with disabilitiesAccess Living statement responds to January 19, 2012 announcement from Governor Quinn on closure of Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Jacksonville Developmental Center.	January 20, 2012

The Bullhorn - The Newsletter of Access Living

Access Living’s bimonthly newsletter

The Bullhorn, the newsletter of Access Living, is published bimonthly.

Title	Date
The Bullhorn - Volume 76The Newsletter of Access Living Volume 76 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in June of 2012.	January 9, 2013
The Bullhorn Volume 73The Newsletter of Access Living Volume 73 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in January 2012	January 2012
The Bullhorn Volume 74Volume 74 of The Bullhorn, The Newsletter of Access Living	March 2012
The Bullhorn Volume 75Volume 75 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in April 2012	April 2012
The Bullhorn Volume 77The Bullhorn Volume 77 August 2012	January 10, 2013